Green Cars

  As fuel prices rise along with the public awareness of global warming, many people are taking an active interest in electric automobiles. Thanks to a number of new rides that have hit the market, you could soon find yourself driving a fiscally-responsible and environmentally-friendly vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice either performance or style. Here are a couple of the most important trend setters in the automotive industry’s burgeoning green revolution:

Tesla Roadster

  For an upstart electric car company that didn’t ship its first production model until February 1, 2008, Tesla is already surprisingly well-positioned to usurp the American luxury car market. Already, Tesla’s first automobile – the fully-electric Roadster sports car – has garnered so much hype that all 650 models scheduled for release in 2008 have been reserved. The Roadster features a high-quality lithium-ion battery that can power the car for 356 km before needing a recharge, which takes about 3 and a half hours (meaning it can easily be recharged overnight or during a break in the day). With a top speed of 201 km/h and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/hour in under 4 seconds, the Roadster is a powerful testament to how far electric cars have come along in technological terms. Late-night TV talk show host Jay Leno, himself a well-known car enthusiast, took a prototype Roadster for a test drive in July 2007 and immediately liked the vehicle, writing “If you like sports cars and you want to be green, this is the only way to go. The Tesla is a car that you can live with, drive and enjoy as a sports car. I had a brief drive in the car and it was quite impressive. This is an electric car that is fun to drive.”



Commuter Cars Tango

  The Tango may not look like much at first sight, but the diminutive electric car made by Spokane, Washington-based Commuter Cars just might revolutionize the world of motor vehicles. Although less than a metre wide and only 257 cm long, the Tango is much safer than it looks thanks to its carbon fibre shell and racecar-style roll cage which helps protect its occupants during collisions. Also, due to its low centre of gravity (it weighs over 1300 kg and has a ground clearance of around 10 cm), the Tango is unlikely to roll over like many SUVs on the road. The Tango’s lead-based battery gives it a range of 96-128 km between recharges, but this range can be increased with an optional generator cart that can be towed behind the vehicle. Perhaps most impressive of all, the Tango has a top speed of 240 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in only 4 seconds. If, however, you’re still not sold on the Tango, take into account that the first person to buy one was George Clooney; if it’s good enough for the guy who won an Oscar for Syriana, it’s good enough for you.



Lightning GT

  UK-based Lightning Car Company bills its Lightning GT as “the UK’s premier electric sports car,” and they may well be right. With a range of 402 km and a fast-charge lithium-ion battery that uses nanotechnology to get a 90% charge in just 10 minutes, the Lightning GT is ideal for motorists who want to be able to hit the road on short notice. The GT has a stated top speed of over 200 km/h and can go from 0 to 96 km/h in 5 seconds, putting it in the same category, performance-wise, as most other luxury electric cars. The GT also has some other advanced design features, such as a regenerative braking system that recycles kinetic energy and a unique motor-placement scheme where motors are mounted in each of the car’s 4 hubs for a combined brake horsepower of 700. However, with an estimated price tag of 150,000 British pounds (over $290,000), you’ll definitely need a major cash flow to buy one of these fine machines.

About the author:

  Curtis is a writer specializing in politics, popular media and the entertainment industry. Based out of Vancouver, Canada, he graduated from Kwantlen University College with an Arts degree in 2006 and is now a contributing editor at TrendPimp magazine. His online portfolio can be found at CurtisSpring.com.